La Lonja Marina Charter

La Lonja Marina Charter is a centrally located marina in Palma de Mallorca, directly opposite the old town and the cathedral, and is one of the key charter bases in the Bay of Palma for sailing yachts and motorboats. With around 100+ berths dedicated mainly to charter yachts between roughly 10 and 24 metres, it is designed for visitors who want immediate city access combined with full marina services and a professional charter infrastructure.

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Location and urban environment

La Lonja Marina Charter lies almost in the heart of Palma, at “Muelle La Lonja s/n, 07012 Palma de Mallorca”, directly across from the historic quarter with its narrow streets, shops and landmarks. From the pontoons, there is a clear view of Palma’s skyline, dominated by the La Seu cathedral and the Es Baluard museum in the old city walls, giving the harbour a dramatic city‑backdrop feeling.

​The marina stretches along the waterfront just a short walk from the La Lonja district and the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, both known for their nightlife, restaurants and market hall. Taxi stands and bus stops are located directly near the marina, and Palma Airport can usually be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi, which is convenient for charter crews and arriving guests.

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Berths and marina layout

La Lonja Marina Charter is specifically oriented towards yachts under foreign flags and is managed by several charter companies that share the same protected harbour space. There are around 100–104 moorings for boats from approximately 10 to 25 metres, arranged along two broad fixed concrete jetties with stern‑to mooring lines and bow moorings.

​Access to the pontoons is controlled via gate codes and video surveillance, which helps protect visiting charter boats and crew belongings given the busy urban environment around the marina. Because berths are mainly dedicated to charter fleets, privately owned Spanish‑flag yachts are generally not accepted as visiting guests, while foreign‑flagged yachts can enquire about short stays when space is available.

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On‑site facilities and technical infrastructure

The marina offers all standard services expected from a modern charter base: shore power and fresh water at all berths, Wi‑Fi, showers and toilets located directly on the piers. The sanitary facilities are functional and often praised for good water pressure and hot water, though cleanliness may vary during busy turnover days when many crews use them at once.

​On the piers, small offices, workshops and service points of the charter companies line up densely, creating a busy working atmosphere focused on maintenance, check‑ins and check‑outs. Simple extras such as laundromat access, vending machines for drinks and ice, recycling points and underground waste containers with segregation are also available near the access areas. While there is no large independent boatyard within La Lonja itself, the concentration of marine service providers around Palma and nearby chandleries like Nautichandler and Mercanautic give quick access to spare parts and technical support.

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Charter focus and user profile

As the name suggests, La Lonja Marina Charter is heavily focused on charter operations, hosting more than 150 charter yachts across different companies. Most yachts use the marina as a starting and finishing point for weekly or shorter charters around Mallorca, Cabrera and the wider Balearic Islands, which means turnover peaks on weekends and changeover days.

​Typical users include:

• Comfortable cruiser crews who want an easy start for a one‑week sailing holiday in the Balearics.
• ​Families and friends’ groups who value minimal transfer time from the airport and the possibility to enjoy Palma before or after their cruise.
• ​Skippers who appreciate being near well‑stocked chandleries and repair services in case of last‑minute technical issues.

​Because of the intensive charter character, the marina tends to be more functional and busy than purely scenic or private, especially at the beginning and end of charter periods.

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​Navigation, approach and mooring

La Lonja Marina Charter lies within Palma’s main harbour, in well‑protected water with minimal swell, even when winds are stronger in the bay. Yachts arriving are usually asked to make first contact on VHF channel 08, after which a marinero will guide them into the assigned berth using hand signals from the pier.

​The berths are stern‑to with laid moorings and are suitable for typical Mediterranean charter yachts; maximum lengths of around 24–25 metres are generally mentioned for visiting boats. Draft is sufficient for standard cruising yachts, and the concrete piers are broad enough to allow safe movement with luggage, trolleys and technical equipment during busy changeover times.

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Gastronomy, nightlife and city experience

One of the biggest advantages of La Lonja Marina Charter is its direct connection to Palma’s gastronomic and nightlife districts. The La Lonja quarter immediately behind the marina hosts numerous tapas bars, restaurants and cafés in historic buildings, while Santa Catalina offers a mix of trendy eateries, bars and its famous food market.

​Within a few minutes on foot, visitors can reach international restaurant chains, boutique hotels, cocktail bars and live‑music venues along the Paseo Marítimo and in the old town. This makes the marina ideal for crews who want to enjoy a city evening before departure or celebrate the end of a cruise without needing taxis or long walks back to the boat.

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Shopping, provisioning and marine services

In the direct vicinity of La Lonja Marina Charter, several supermarkets, small grocery shops and specialist food stores can be reached on foot, which is essential for stocking up before a cruise. For more sophisticated shopping, Palma offers department stores such as El Corte Inglés with a gourmet food section, as well as numerous delicatessens, bakeries and markets.

​The Mercat de Santa Catalina, about 600 metres from the marina, is a popular fresh‑food market where fruit, vegetables, fish and meat are sold from early morning, making it a favourite provisioning spot among crews seeking local products. Specialist chandleries like Nautichandler (very close on the way to Real Club Náutico) and Mercanautic along the bay provide spare parts, safety gear and technical equipment, with staff experienced in supporting cruising and blue‑water sailors.

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Transport connections and onward travel

Being virtually inside the city, La Lonja Marina Charter benefits from Palma’s extensive transport network. A taxi rank and bus stops are located just outside the marina, allowing quick transfers to the airport, bus station and other parts of the city.

​Palma’s underground transport hub connects most bus lines, two metro lines and several island train routes to destinations across Mallorca, making it easy for crew members or guests to arrive from or continue to other parts of the island. Popular excursions from Palma include the historic Sóller railway through the Tramuntana mountains and the connecting tram to Port de Sóller, which many charter guests combine with their sailing holiday.

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Who La Lonja Marina Charter is best for

La Lonja Marina Charter is particularly suitable for:

• Charter guests and skippers who want a city‑centre base with full marina services, immediate nightlife, restaurants and shops.
• ​Crews seeking very short transfer times from the airport and easy logistics for provisioning, technical support and check‑in/check‑out procedures.
• ​Visitors who enjoy combining a sailing holiday with urban sightseeing, museums and cultural attractions like Palma’s cathedral and art galleries.

​Those looking for a quiet, purely residential or resort‑style marina may find La Lonja comparatively busy and functional, especially on weekends, but for many sailors the trade‑off is worthwhile for the unbeatable proximity to Palma’s old town and the convenience of a central charter hub.